#SelfControlForKids

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Character Education Made Easy: Teaching Emotional Skills with a Story

Teaching young children about emotions and self-control is essential for their social and emotional development. The story Angry Ken and the Tower That Fell provides a relatable and engaging way to help preschool and primary students learn emotional regulation. This lesson plan combines storytelling with hands-on activities, encouraging children to identify feelings, practice calming techniques, and develop teamwork skills. Whether in a classroom or homeschool setting, this plan is perfect for fostering self-awareness and character development in kids.

Benefits of Using the Story to Teach Character Education

Stories like Angry Ken and the Tower That Fell are powerful tools for character education. They allow children to see situations they can relate to while learning valuable life skills like empathy, patience, and problem-solving. Through Ken’s journey, kids understand that feeling angry is okay, but it’s important to manage those feelings in a healthy way. This story not only teaches emotional regulation but also reinforces the importance of teamwork and positive communication, laying the foundation for strong social and emotional skills.

Lesson Plan: Angry Ken and the Tower That Fell

Grade Level: Preschool to Primary (Ages 4–8) Duration: 40 minutes Objective:

Students will learn to identify and name emotions.

Students will practice techniques for calming down, such as deep breathing.

Students will understand the importance of self-control and teamwork.

Materials:

Printed or digital copy of the story Angry Ken and the Tower That Fell.

Building blocks or stacking toys.

Emotion flashcards (happy, sad, angry, scared, etc.).

Drawing materials (crayons, markers, and paper).

Optional: calming music or audio for breathing exercises.

Lesson Structure:

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

Greet students warmly and ask:

“How are you feeling today? Can you show me your face when you’re happy? How about when you’re mad?”

Show emotion flashcards and ask students to name the feelings.

Explain: “Today, we’re going to read a story about a boy named Ken. Ken feels really mad when something happens. Let’s find out what he does to feel better!”

2. Reading the Story (15 minutes)

a. First Reading (10 minutes):

Read the story Angry Ken and the Tower That Fell aloud, using expressive voices for the characters.

Pause during interactive parts:

“What would you do if your tower fell? Show me your mad face!”

“Let’s practice deep breathing together: Smell the flowers, blow out the candles.”

“Can you name some feelings Ken might be having right now?”

b. Quick Review (5 minutes):

Ask questions to check comprehension:

“Why was Ken so mad?”

“What did Ken do to calm down?”

“How did Ken and Mia work together at the end?”

3. Interactive Activities (15 minutes)

a. Activity 1: Build and Rebuild (10 minutes):

Divide students into pairs (or work with a parent in a homeschool setup).

Give each group building blocks.

Ask them to build a tower together. After the tower is complete, gently knock it over or have one person pretend to accidentally bump it.

Guide students through the process of calming down:

“Take a deep breath! Smell the flowers, blow out the candles!”

“Now let’s try rebuilding the tower together like Ken and Mia.”

b. Activity 2: Draw Your Feelings (5 minutes):

Give each student paper and crayons.

Ask: “Can you draw a picture of what Ken felt when the tower fell? How about how he felt after he calmed down?”

Invite students to share their drawings and explain their pictures.

4. Wrap-Up and Reflection (5 minutes)

Gather students and ask:

“What did we learn from Ken today?”

“Can you show me how to take deep breaths like Ken?”

“Why is it important to calm down when we feel mad?”

Praise students for participating and practicing emotional regulation.

Extension/Home Activity:

Send home an activity sheet:

A simple maze or coloring page of Ken and his tower.

Space for kids to draw or write about how they feel when they are mad and what they do to feel better.

Encourage families to read the story again and practice deep breathing together.

Notes for Teachers/Parents:

Be patient with younger children as they learn to name emotions.

Reinforce positive behavior by praising efforts to calm down.

Adapt activities for individual or group settings as needed.

Further Reading

Literature-Based Instruction Approach | Types & Examples